Look Good Feel Better

A couple of months ago my darling friend and I were privileged to have attended a wonderful workshop, Look Good Feel Better which was held at the Cancer Society in Auckland.
Imagine a room full of complete strangers with cancer sporting either scarves, bandanas, turbans or naked (beautiful and bald) meeting for the very first and perhaps the last time being pampered for free by generous volunteers who wanted to make the day special for us.
In between much laughter and talking, step by step we're taken through a face cleansing regime followed by a make up session helped along by experienced volunteers.
As I glanced around I was once again reminded of the cruelty of cancer and because of cancer there I was with women from all walks of life who were being inconvenienced by the disease. I could silently relate to each women one way or another and when I took off my turban to reveal my patchy scalp not one women looked at me in horror. I felt so at home and comfortable in a room full of strangers. Only a woman who has cancer can know and understand the feeling of belonging to a 'sisterhood' such as this. I met some more wonderful women that day and I was so proud to be in such wonderful company even it is because of cancer.
At the end of the session we all got to take home a goodie bag full of expensive cosmetics, some wonderful memories and snapshots of history for ourselves.
Walking out to the foyer I hardly recognise any of the women who are now completely made up sporting sexy new wigs shooting off to lunch.
I loved the experience and like every other women who has attended this workshop am grateful to the woman who started it off many years ago.
(PS: as you can see I am still wired from the steriods and am still zinging out at 5:15am...!!)

Cancer Society

The Cancer Society provide so many services which are mostly free to those who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Look Good, Feel Better; sleep management classes and aromatherapy massages ($10 for an hour) just to name but a few. While I have not attended any of these yet, my friend and I are booked to attend these and many more over the next couple of months.

There are also counselling services available for your family and friends.

Call them or check out their website for services that will suit the needs of so many that have been affected by cancer one way or another.

Cancer Helpline 0800 800 426

or

http://www.cancernz.org.nz/

(There are more sites you can visit by scrolling further down the left side of my blog)

A day of mixed blessings

Hubby and I attended chemo orientation today which was extremely informative.
Cancer outpatients are each given cancer packs which include some of the following -
- information sheets on chemo drugs
- cancer support contact details
- information sheet on side effects
- wig form
- Look Good, Feel Better info and form

I cast a curious glance around the room and note cancer has ensnared lives from all walks of life, all age groups and different ethnic backgrounds. Cancer is not discriminative.

Approximately 2 hours later I leave armed with more knowledge ready for the next cancer related appointment. Friday 11 January I am off to meet the radiologist to discuss radiotherapy treatment.

Hours later I am making calls to Kawerau and Ohope to thank more wonderful people for their huge donation to my cause.
Thank you and much love to the Leitner family, the Stewart family and the Bonne family.